The Italian, a second half substitute, had already been booked for a foul on Benoit Assou-Ekotto when he tangled with Parker in the 84th minute. Balotelli twice caught the prone Parker, the second time square in the head as he seemed to lose his balance and fall over, before scoring the winning goal.

"Yes, I do think that," said Redknapp when asked if Balotelli should have been sent off. It's blatantly obvious if you see that, he reacts like that at times to challenges."